Canticles

43. Him Again...

Rex was still standing while waiting for the woman to speak again. But after waiting for a while, the woman did not speak. Even his figure that had started to look clear slowly faded and then disappeared completely.

Rex again circulated his gaze, but unfortunately he did not manage to find the woman again.

A moment later Rex opened his eyes. Rex felt the temperature inside his room become colder than usual. His breath was heavy too. Slowly Rex got up from his sleeping position and touched his head.

" The dream ?. But really for a while," muttered Rex as he glanced at the clock on the wall of his room.

Rex ignored the dream and tried to think positively. He felt that the dream had happened because he was thinking too much about the woman under the mahogany tree. Afterwards Rex stepped out of the room because he intended to wash the dirty clothes he soaked earlier.

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That day was the day Gama held a lecture in the framework of his workshop opening ceremony. The Rex family was again involved in the preparation of the event. Gondo and Mira look happy to see Gama's efforts realize their dreams. Both were present to support Gama, although they had to return to Riau immediately to settle their affairs later.

Three employees recommended by Rex were also present at the event. They are quick to help prepare all the needs of the bagyakuran later. Ramon, who knew the three, greeted them warmly.

" So you'll help Gama later...?" greet Ramon.

" Yes Om..," said Edi, Ipung and Riki while kissing the back of Ramon's hand with reverence.

" It's good. Gama's new here, but he's a good boy" Ramon said.

" Yes Om. Bang Gama is as rich as Bang Rex. We even feel rich temen and not employees..," said Ipung who is owned by Edi and Riki.

" Thank you if your chemistry is broken. Next stay treated so as to advance this workshop together. If the workshop is advanced automatically you also get the impact..," joked Ramon.

Edi, Ipung and Riki laughed because they understood Ramon's intentions. Their laughter stopped when they saw Lanni and Lilian coming with piles of cardboard filled with food. The three quickly helped Lanni and Lilian and brought the boxes into the workshop.

Shortly after the study event took place, it looks crowded but solemn. Apparently Gama also invited neighbors around the shophouse to attend the event.

After the study was completed, the event continued by chatting casually while enjoying the dishes that had been served. Mira seems to be talking to Lanni. Ramon and Gondo are seen accompanying the guests. It was Lilian who was interested to look around upstairs.

" What's up there Gam. Can you see...?" lillian asked as Gama picked up a plate filled with fruit.

" May Brother. But alone gapapa yes, because I again bother nemenin guests..," said Gama.

" Gapapa, I can be alone really." said Lilian.

" Ok, be careful, yeah," Gama's message passed.

Lilian nodded then started to climb up the stairs slowly. Arriving upstairs Lilian seemed to smile in amazement.

" It turns out that pinter is also a place and choose goods..," muttered Lilian while observing her surroundings.

On the top floor there is a mini musholla, office and rest room. Lillian observed some of the photos displayed on the walls of the room.

While being engrossed in observing the room upstairs, Rex suddenly comes and surprises Lilian. Guess how Lilian reacted. It immediately hit Rex so hard. While Rex looked grimacing while laughing.

" Why should ngagetin anyway. Do you know that I don't like to be cheated on...!" lillian said gauntly.

" Sorry, not intentionally. Seriously too serious to hear my voice..," Rex said in between his laughter.

" Tau ah...!" lillian said while glaring.

" Ck, this photo is still on display. Shamefully," Rex murmured as he stared at a photo of himself and Gama as a teenager.

The photo was taken when the police were busy digging the field which he said was the source of the mysterious voice first. It is called mysterious because it is only heard in Maghrib and night without knowing where it came from.

One of the reporters asked Rex and Gama to pose with a background field mounted police line. Rex and Gama happily pose in front of the reporter's camera. And the reporter came a day later while handing a piece of the photo to Rex and Gama.

Because there is only a piece of photo, you can guess how the ending is. Rex and Gama had a big fight over that piece of photography. Each one claimed he was entitled to the photograph.

Fighting is inevitable as well. Gondo, who saw the two fighting on the street near the house, broke up. Initially Gondo asks Gama to relented and gives the photo to Rex. But Gama refused and it confused Gondo.

It was then that Ramon came along and came up with a solution. Rex and Gama are required to answer some questions. Whoever answers the most correctly is entitled to have the photo. Finally Gama was the one who managed to have the photo after successfully defeating Rex.

Rex seemed to take a deep breath as his memory of the origin of the photo came to an end.

" What the hell is Rex...?" lillian asked suddenly while observing the photo Rex saw.

" The photo taken right there was a quarry in the field first was Kak..," said Rex.

" Oh, the excavation that said there was a mysterious voice is yes...?" ask Lilian.

" yes. If you want to laugh. The yesteryear of one village can be followed using the mysterious voice..," Rex said with a laugh.

" It doesn't know the sound of cassette tapes yes Rex..," Lilian said with a laugh.

" Yes..," said Rex.

" Ngetawain what the heck, really exciting look...?" ask Gama from the stairs.

Rex and Lilian turned towards Gama who had just arrived upstairs.

" Another photo of this..," Lilian said as she pointed at the photo of Rex and Gama embracing each other.

" Oh, this is a historic photo for me. Because to get it there must be a great struggle and sacrifice. Isn't it Rex...?" asked Gama while smiling meaningfully.

" Cih, it's because Lo cheated Gam...!" rex said annoyed.

" I ain't cheating Rex. You're less pinter...!" sahut Gama will not lose.

" Ssttt. Just a picture of a storm. This picture is not more important than your friendship. Photos can be damaged and lost. But the friendship that uses the heart will not be lost even though it is eaten up by time. Know ga...?!" lillian asked as she looked at Rex and Gama alternately.

Rex and Gama nodded their heads. While Lilian seemed to smile happily because she managed to break up the Rex and Gama dispute this time.

A moment later Mira called Rex, Gama and Lilian to eat. Lilian first went down the stairs followed by Gama. Rex who is in the back row must be patient waiting for his turn. It was accidentally Rex turned out the window precisely towards the mahogany tree on the side of the highway. And Rex was shocked to see the strange woman again there.

" Him again. Who and what the hell he is" muttered Rex.

Then Rex shifted his gaze as Gama asked him to come down immediately.

seriated